Linguistic Politeness in Kyrgyzstan

Ekaterina V. Galimova, PhD

What does the word “Kyrgyz” mean?

KYRK + GYZ

40

Ekaterina V. Galimova, PhD

Where is Kyrgyzstan?

Ekaterina V. Galimova, PhD

Way of the Kyrgyz Life

Ekaterina V. Galimova, PhD

Male part of the Yurt

Ekaterina V. Galimova, PhD

Guest part of the Yurt

Ekaterina V. Galimova, PhD

Female part of the Yurt

Ekaterina V. Galimova, PhD

Actions may speak louder than words, but the world basis its first impression of you on what you say and how you

say it. F.

Harris

Ekaterina V. Galimova, PhD

Types of politenessVerbal • Direct politeness “Give me the book” or “Open the

door.” • Indirect “It feels cool in here,” or, “It would be nice if

someone shut the door.” • Positive politeness “Would you mind opening the

door?”• Negative “Since you are so close to the door, could

you open it?” • There is a kind where you can say nothing and make no

request; this is the highest level of politeness.”Non verbal• Gestures (negative, positive)

Ekaterina V. Galimova, PhD

1. Kyrgyz verbal and non verbal politenessVerbal

• “What tribe are you from?” 1 (full response, “—”)

• One’s welcome at any time (God’s sender) • Once you are offered food, you should eat it. (Nooruz)

• It is good to interrupt each other while speaking

• If one praises you, you should say say to lessen that or say that you are not alone. It is not accepted to boast in public.

Non verbal

• ”XXXs”

• = ?!

•

• safe gestures • Personal space

• “Male” superiority

Ekaterina V. Galimova, PhD

2. Kyrgyz verbal and non verbal politeness Verbal

• Adults speak – kids keep quiet

• No titles just patronymic names• T—S call [siz] S—S [sen]

COMMUNICATION IS

Non verbal

• Ss. T. • stand up to greet a T. C A B L HAIR T E

SUBTLE IN THE EAST

Ekaterina V. Galimova, PhD

Conclusion

• What kinds of verbal and nonverbal politeness are there in your country ?• Are they the same or different ?• Is there a universal politeness ? • What are the ways of teaching

politeness ?

Ekaterina V. Galimova, PhD

Bibliography

• Brown, P., & Levinson, S. C. Politeness: Some universals in language use. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press 1987.

• Professor Peng // Psychology 166 AC.1//Lecture 27 Black Lightning Lecture notes. University of California, Berkley.

• Janet Holmes An Introduction to Sociolinguistics, Longman, London and New York 1995.

Ekaterina V. Galimova, PhD

THANK YOU VERY MUCH!

WELCOME TO KYRGYZSTAN !Ekaterina V. Galimova, PhD